Pregnancy causes a variety of new sensations, including pinching, pressure and pain in the abdomen. Because your baby's head is the largest part of her body, it's also the area most likely to cause noticeable pain. A sharp, low, pinching pain is typically not indicative of a serious health condition, but you should still consult your doctor about the pain. If you experience bleeding or a fever along with the pain, go to the emergency room immediately.
Eating a healthy diet is critical both during and after pregnancy, for the health of both the mother and the baby. But until recently, eating during labor itself was thought to increase the potential for complications. However,...
Fetal movement is a welcome indication of fetal well-being, but your baby’s movements can be distracting and disconcerting when they cause pain. It is not uncommon for women to experience discomfort in the ribcage, abdome...
Packing a complete maternity bag can help make your labor and delivery less chaotic and more comfortable. The bag you choose should be big enough to carry your belongings as well as clothes and other essential items for your ne...
During labor and delivery, massage can dramatically relax a woman's muscles, ease her pain and improve her sense of overall well-being. The response to massage varies widely, however, from one individual to the next. The chief ...
Labor and delivery is a process unique for each woman. There are certain exercises and stretches you can do during pregnancy that may help ease you through the stages of labor and your delivery. While you have to modify your no...
Due to the availability of doulas, midwives, at-home nurses and other birthing experts, numerous options exist for mothers wishing to give birth in natural settings. Although having such experts on hand can help to make nearly ...
Experiencing uncontrollable shaking or shivering after delivering a baby occurs frequently. This symptom can happen after either a vaginal delivery---with or without an epidural----or a Cesarean section, according to Dr. Megan...
There is no way to predict in advance whether your labor will last several hours or several days. Packing a bag with essentials can help you prepare for virtually any scenario you might encounter while at the hospital or birth ...
Labor and delivery of a baby may last from only a few hours to several days. During this time, women experience numerous physical and emotional sensations as their bodies prepare to give birth. While each woman's labor and deli...
Different obstetricians have different philosophies, with some supporting natural birth and a high level of patient involvement and others taking charge of the delivery and handling all aspects without much involvement from the...
As you near your due date, packing for the hospital becomes essential. Though you'll enter the hospital with only your partner, you will take a brand new person home with you! You will need to bring a few things to the hospital...
If this is your first pregnancy, labor generally lasts between 12 to 18 hours on average, says the Merck Manuals Online Medical Dictionary, with subsequent labor and delivery taking less time--typically between six and eight ho...
Although hospitals often provide many items you need to care for your new baby, such as diapers, formula and bottles, bringing some comfort items and special clothing from home can make the stay more comfortable. Don't forget a...
Delivering a big baby with large shoulders increases the risk that shoulder dystocia will occur. Dr. Henry Lerner, on the Shoulder Dystocia website, explains that this delivery complication occurs when a baby's shoulders are st...
When preparing for a baby, a mother-to-be's focus is often on what the baby will need. The last few weeks before baby is due are often a flurry of shopping for clothing, cribs, bottles and burp cloths. But it is just as impor...
Being pregnant is exciting and intense, and when it's time for labor and delivery, that intensity skyrockets. You must prepare for the birth of your baby before you can face the challenges of parenthood. You and your spouse wan...
It's easy to forget necessary items when you're packing a bag in preparation for delivering your baby. However, you want to avoid items you'll never use because you may not have much space in your hospital room. Learning what t...
You have her bag packed, you make her comfortable, read fetal monitors and talk to doctors, but the real work begins when it actually comes time to push. The act of delivering the baby can cause a good deal of anxiety in an exp...
But what about after your baby is born? As a result of the process of delivery and caring for a new baby, you may experience a variety of conditions and symptoms common to new mothers.
Whether you are a good friend of a future mommy or the proud future daddy, your willingness to help a pregnant woman prepare for her new baby will be greatly appreciated. The experience of nurturing and giving birth to another ...
Packing your hospital bag long before your first serious contractions ensures that you bring all of your necessities. A checklist of items to bring keeps you organized as you gather your hospital essentials. The specifics of yo...
Packing your bags for the hospital can be an intimidating task. Because you can go into labor before your actual due date, it is important to be prepared ahead of time. Be sure to include the necessities for you, your partner a...
Whether they dream of a low-intervention, unmedicated birth, or want all of the technological advantages available, women today can make a number of important decisions regarding their baby’s delivery. Although your insur...
Effacing is an important part of the final stages of labor. It occurs when the cervix softens, shortens and becomes thinner. The American Pregnancy Association explains that it occurs after the baby has engaged in the mother's ...
Pregnant women should begin exploring their pain-relief options several weeks or months before labor begins. Even women who plan to have a natural birth without pain-relieving drugs need to learn what options exist for coping w...
When a woman is nearing labor, her cervix will begin to dilate and thin. She will also begin experiencing regular contractions that get closer together and stronger over time. When things seem to have stalled, there are a numbe...
Once labor begins, the overwhelming desire of most women is to have it over with as quickly as possible. Labor doesn't always move according to a timetable, though; while labor lasts 10 to 14 hours on average, according to Sut...
The pains of labor are typically associated with the belly and perineal area. However, some women do experience pain in the lower back as part of their labor process. Most often, back labor pain is contributed to the baby comin...
Emotional support, warm baths, rest, extra fluids and moderate exercise may help. This pre-labor, or false labor, prepares the woman's body and the baby for active labor and life outside the womb. It is difficult to tell the d...
Soon the mother will finally be able to hold her precious newborn. However, the birthing process can be challenging and painful, and no two deliveries are the same. While you may have chosen a method of pain relief prior to the...
While every woman's labor is different, there is no getting around the fact that there is going to be some pain involved. Luckily, there are many pain relief options available, each working in a slightly different way. Pregnant...
Labor and delivery is a three-step process, however according to the Mayo Clinic, stage one can be divided into two stages---early and active labor---making it a four step process. While it can be overwhelming, and a bit fright...
If you're close to a mother-to-be, giving a pregnancy-themed gift that's just for her can be a great gesture of support and friendship at a time when her identity is rapidly changing. Gift ideas for expecting women include keep...
However, women have more than one option when giving birth. If she does not want to use drugs or have medical intervention, a woman can choose to have a home birth. When a normal vaginal birth may not be possible, a cesarean se...
Every year a small percentage of women give birth in the comfort of their own homes. According to the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, "approximately 1 percent of American women give birth at home." The Department of So...
Childbirth is a physical activity. Staying fit and healthy are important ways to prepare for labor and delivery. Maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight, doing prenatal exercises, taking prenatal vitamins and following your pra...
